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Businesses demand answers as beaches remain closed to bathers
Businesses and local politicians have demanded answers over a sewage leak that has led to 14 miles of coastline around Blackpool being closed to bathers just as the summer tourism season is due to begin.
Official advice not to enter the water at eight beaches on the Fylde coast remains in place nearly a week after United Utilities, one of Britain’s largest water companies, first admitted pumping raw sewage into the sea due to a damaged pipe.
The company says it is working “around the clock” to install a new, 2,000m-long pipe over a nature reserve as a temporary fix.
But in the meantime the treatment plant at Fleetwood, which serves a population of around 248,000 people, has minimal capacity and is being overwhelmed during heavy rainfall leading to sewage being discharged into the sea.
United Utilities – which doubled its profits to more than £426m for the six months ending September 2022 – said it made use of “storm overflows” during last night’s heavy rain, while more rain is forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday.
The company has yet to offer a time scale on when it believes the problem can be fixed, either in the short term or permanently.
Businesses have reported seeing beaches quieter than they would have expected during the recent sunny weather and are fearful of what to expect as they gear up for the summer season.
Alton Hobbs, who runs Westcoe guest house in Blackpool, told i: “It’s not great for the reputation.
“The beaches at Blackpool normally have blue flag status, they aren’t dirty and they haven’t been for years.
“I don’t know how long it takes before they can let people back in the sea, but there’s not been any indication.
“Will it be two weeks or two months? We don’t know. It’s quiet at the moment but in about two weeks time the Scottish schools will break up.
“It’s an awkward conversation to have with guests, I’ve been doing a lot to promote my business and making it a really nice place to come and stay, and then you have this say ‘oh by the way, don’t go in the sea’.”
He added: “They’re spending millions on Blackpool, the new market just opened up, they’re restoring the Winter Gardens, the pleasure beach looks the best it has in years.
“If this was Bournemouth or somewhere people would be screaming from the rooftops.”
Chris Webb, who is Labour’s candidate for Blackpool South, added: “United Utilities has just paid out £300m in dividends to shareholders yet residents can’t access 14 miles of coastline across the Fylde coast.
“We rely on our coastline, especially a town like Blackpool. We rely on footfall, people enjoying the seaside, and something like this will just put people off.
“This is going to have a big impact and at a time when businesses are struggling – I was looking at pictures from the weekend and I think there was a reduction [in footfall], I don’t think it was anywhere near as busy as you’d expect when the sun was out.
“Blackpool needs to have a good season this year for local jobs and the economy. If they don’t get a grip on it, and then we get into the summer and then the Illuminations, that’s the big worry.
“That’s why United Utilities need to get their act together. United Utilities have a public duty to be honest and frank about what is going on.”
The Environment Agency has launched an investigation and it is believed staff have been taking water samples in recent days.
“Polluting our seas and rivers is unacceptable and we are carrying out a detailed investigation into this incident. We take tough action against those who pollute and will take appropriate enforcement action, as required,” the EA said in a statement last week.
United Utilities said work is “well under way” on its new pipe which has been lifted into place and is now being bolted together.
Once the bypass is up and running, the treatment works will be able to run at full capacity again, reducing the need for storm overflows to operate in the event of further heavy rain, the company added.
Mark Garth, United Utilities wastewater director, said: “We are working around the clock to get things back to normal.
“Good progress is being made and we are doing all we can to ensure that the wastewater treatment system can operate as it should.
“We know people will be disappointed they are being advised to avoid swimming in the sea right now but we will continue to work with the Environment Agency and local authorities to get to a position where that advice can be lifted as soon as possible.”
